Vietnam rewards curious families with history you can touch, food that thrills every palate, and landscapes that swing from limestone karsts to golden beaches. Once the hub of ancient kingdoms and bustling trade routes, Vietnam today is a tapestry of Old Quarter alleys, lantern-lit rivers, and buzzing boulevards.

Across 10 days, you’ll trace dynasties in Hanoi, float past limestone peaks in Ha Long Bay, wander Hoi An’s living museum, stroll sandy shores, and dive into modern Saigon’s stories. Along the way, take a mountain cable car to the Golden Bridge, peek inside the Cu Chi Tunnels, and cruise the Mekong’s coconut-fringed canals.

Practical notes: most travelers can apply for an e-visa; carry cash in Vietnamese dong for markets; Grab is the easiest ride-hail app; and Vietnamese cuisine is wonderfully family friendly—think noodle soups, fresh rolls, and charcoal-grilled pork. Pack light layers, sun protection, and a sense of adventure.

Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam’s elegant capital: lakeside pagodas, tree-lined boulevards, French-era villas, and the kinetic charm of the Old Quarter. Street vendors shoulder baskets of fruit as trains rumble within arm’s reach on “Train Street.” Food is legendary—pho breakfasts, bun cha grills, and creamy egg coffee.

• Top sights: Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple, Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
• Family highlights: electric-car loop around the Old Quarter, West Lake pedal-boats, water puppets, and evening Jeep tours.
• Where to eat: Pho Gia Truyen (classic pho), Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama’s bun cha), Cha Ca Thang Long (turmeric dill fish), Giang Cafe (original egg coffee).

Stay (family-friendly picks): Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (boutique with superb service), Somerset Grand Hanoi (apartment-style suites with kitchen), Lotte Hotel Hanoi (pool and skyline views). Browse more: Hotels.com: Hanoi or VRBO: Hanoi.

Getting in: Fly into Hanoi (HAN). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Old Quarter: 40–60 minutes by taxi/Grab.

Day 1: Arrival and Lake Stroll

Afternoon: Land in Hanoi and settle in. Stretch your legs with a loop around Hoan Kiem Lake—peek into Ngoc Son Temple and watch grandparents teaching kids to dance in the park.

Evening: Dinner at Cha Ca Thang Long for sizzling turmeric-dill fish cooked table-side. Grab an egg coffee at Giang Cafe and wander the weekend night market (Fri–Sun) for souvenirs and street music.

Day 2: Old Quarter Essentials + Evening Jeep Tour

Morning: Pho breakfast at Pho Gia Truyen (go early). Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex (exterior grounds and stilt house), then the Temple of Literature—the country’s first university (1076) with serene courtyards your kids can roam.

Afternoon: Explore the Old Quarter’s guild streets. Pop into Dong Xuan Market for dried fruits and toys. Snack on fresh spring rolls and coconut ice cream.

Evening: See the city from open-air war-era jeeps—great fun for kids and grandparents alike.

Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep

Day 3: Ninh Binh Day Trip (Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, Mua Cave)

Enjoy a countryside escape of karst valleys, boat caves, and gentle biking. Includes lunch and kid-friendly pacing.

Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

Tip: Pack sunhats and a light rain jacket; the weather can flip from bright sun to a quick shower.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour

Glide among UNESCO-listed limestone towers, with kayaking or a bamboo boat ride and a fresh Vietnamese lunch onboard—an unforgettable family day.

Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Kayaking, Swimming, Hiking & Lunch

Back in Hanoi, celebrate with bun cha and a coconut coffee. Early night—tomorrow you fly south to the beach.

Hoi An (base for Hoi An & Da Nang)

Hoi An is a preserved port town where Chinese assembly halls, wooden merchant homes, and Japanese bridges glow under lantern light. Just minutes away, An Bang Beach and Cua Dai offer soft sand and mellow waves. Da Nang, the modern neighbor, adds wide beaches and the mountainside theme park at Ba Na Hills.

• Top sights: Hoi An Ancient Town ticketed sites, Japanese Covered Bridge, riverside night market, An Bang Beach, My Son Sanctuary (optional).
• Family highlights: lantern-making workshops, basket-boat rides in Coconut Village, Ba Na Hills cable car and Golden Bridge.
• Where to eat: Banh Mi Phuong (legendary sandwiches), Morning Glory Original (central Vietnamese classics), Bale Well (DIY skewers & rice paper rolls), Hoi An Roastery (coffee).

Stay: For beachside value and family rooms, Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa. In-town budget, Hoi An Dream City Hotel. Riverside resort vibe, Anantara Hoi An Resort. Hostel social scene, Tribee Bana Hostel. Browse: Hotels.com: Hoi An or VRBO: Hoi An.

Getting there from Hanoi (Day 5): Morning flight Hanoi → Da Nang (approx. 1h20; ~$35–90 one-way excl. bags). Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Budget alternative: overnight sleeper train (Hanoi → Da Nang 15–17 hrs) via Trip.com trains. Da Nang airport to Hoi An: 45–60 mins by car.

Day 5: Fly South, Settle in Hoi An

Morning: Fly to Da Nang; transfer to your Hoi An hotel. Drop bags and refresh.

Afternoon: Ancient Town orientation walk: Japanese Covered Bridge, Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation, and tailors’ streets. Cool off with iced coconut coffee at Hoi An Roastery.

Evening: Lantern-lit riverside stroll. River boat (hand-rowed) is a kid-pleaser. Dinner at Morning Glory Original for cao lau (chewy local noodles) and white rose dumplings.

Day 6: Ba Na Hills & The Golden Bridge (Full Day)

Ride one of the world’s longest cable cars up to Ba Na Hills for the photogenic Golden Bridge, French village, rides, and gardens—high-impact fun for all ages. Includes Da Nang/Hoi An pickup.

Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Full-day Tour

Return to Hoi An for dinner at Bale Well: grill-it-yourself skewers with herbs and rice paper—interactive and perfect for kids.

Day 7: Beach Day, Coconut Village, Optional Dragon Bridge

Morning: An Bang Beach time—rent loungers, splash in gentle waves, and try fresh smoothies from local shacks. Budget-friendly seafood lunch: grilled clams and tamarind crab at a beachfront eatery.

Afternoon: Head to Cam Thanh Coconut Village for a short basket-boat spin through nipa palms—guides often do gentle “spinning” tricks that delight kids. Back in town, try Banh Mi Phuong.

Evening: Optional Da Nang visit: if it’s Sat/Sun, the Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water at 9pm—arrive early. Otherwise, lantern workshop in Hoi An so the kids can craft a keepsake.

Optional history day (instead of beach): Ride the coastal train over the Hai Van Pass and tour the Hue Citadel—an epic scenery + history combo.

Hue Citadel tour by authentic Train via Hai Van Pass

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Saigon is Vietnam’s megacity: French boulevards, modern towers, a café on every corner, and a culinary scene that never sleeps. It’s also the gateway to poignant war history and the slow-life charm of the Mekong Delta.

• Top sights: Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
• Family highlights: water bus rides, kid-friendly history at the Cu Chi Tunnels, hands-on cooking or food tours, and a sunset river cruise.
• Sports moment: If you’re in season (typically Feb–Aug with fall rounds), catch a V.League 1 football match at Thong Nhat Stadium—tickets are often ~$3–8 and festive.

Stay: For apartment-style space, Sherwood Residence (pool, kitchenettes). Midrange haven, Silverland Yen Hotel (rooftop soak). Great value high-comfort, Hotel Nikko Saigon. Hostel favorite, The Common Room Project. Splurge icon, The Reverie Saigon. Browse: Hotels.com: Ho Chi Minh City or VRBO: Ho Chi Minh City.

Getting there from Hoi An (Day 8): Morning transfer to Da Nang airport; flight to HCMC (approx. 1h25; ~$30–85 one-way excl. bags). Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 8: Fly In, City Icons, River Dinner Cruise

Morning: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and drop bags.

Afternoon: Hit key landmarks with a guide to connect the dots—Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior), Central Post Office, Opera House, and Reunification Palace.

Small-group Saigon City Tour: 4-Hour Must-see Iconic Landmarks

Evening: Dine as the skyline twinkles on a 3-hour Saigon River cruise—easy, scenic, and very family friendly.

Saigon River Dinner Cruise (3 hrs)

Alternative dinner (foodie families): Award-winning guided walk to tiny local spots—no scooters needed.

Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour

Independent eats: Pho Hoa Pasteur (since 1968), Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (overstuffed baguettes), or family-pleaser Pizza 4P’s (house-made cheese).

Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Combo (Full Day)

Make the most of your time with a combined history-and-river day: walk a short, safe section of the Cu Chi network, then ride boats through coconut groves, sample honey tea, and enjoy a local lunch.

Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta - VIP Tour

Sports option tonight: If there’s a match, catch V.League 1 football at Thong Nhat Stadium—lively crowds, family sections, and snacks in the stands.

Day 10: Coffee, Markets, and Departure

Morning: Begin with a slow Vietnamese coffee at L’Usine or Shin Coffee, then browse Ben Thanh’s produce aisles and craft stalls. Slurp a last bowl of hu tieu soup before packing up.

Afternoon: Airport transfer for your flight home. For smoother arrivals/departures another time, consider fast-track service.

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Eating & Coffee Shortlist (by city)

• Hanoi: Pho Gia Truyen (pho), Bun Cha Huong Lien (grilled pork noodles), Quan An Ngon (multi-regional dishes), Giang Cafe (egg coffee).
• Hoi An/Da Nang: Banh Mi Phuong (banh mi), Morning Glory Original (Hoi An favorites), Bale Well (DIY skewers), Mi Quang Ba Mua in Da Nang (turmeric noodles), 43 Factory Coffee Roaster (specialty coffee).
• Ho Chi Minh City: Pho Hoa Pasteur (pho), Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (banh mi), Cuc Gach Quan (home-style Vietnamese), L’Usine (brunch & coffee).

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Getting Around & Money-Saving Tips

• Transport: Use Grab for short hops. Families often prefer private transfers for day trips (included on tours). Consider sleeper trains for an adventure and hotel-night savings via Trip.com trains.
• Flights: Domestic fares are competitive; compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Book early around holidays.
• Budget stretch: Street food is safe and delicious at busy vendors; refill water at hotels; choose apartment hotels for simple breakfasts and laundry.

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At-a-Glance Day Plan

• Day 1: Arrive Hanoi, lake stroll, egg coffee.
• Day 2: Hanoi highlights + evening Jeep tour.
• Day 3: Ninh Binh day tour (boat + bikes).
• Day 4: Ha Long Bay day cruise.
• Day 5: Fly to Da Nang, Hoi An Old Town.
• Day 6: Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge.
• Day 7: Beach + Coconut Village; optional Hue or Dragon Bridge.
• Day 8: Fly to HCMC; city icons; river dinner cruise or food walk.
• Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta combo; optional football match.
• Day 10: Coffee, market, depart.

From lakefront Hanoi to lantern-bright Hoi An and the electric pulse of Saigon, this 10-day Vietnam itinerary balances heritage, food, beaches, and easy logistics. With family-friendly pacing and standout tours, you’ll leave with full bellies, sandy shoes, and stories that linger.

Ready to tailor it further—more beach time, a cooking class, or an overnight Ha Long cruise? Swap days and add experiences to fit your family’s style and season.